Background

This was in late 90s. I belonged to lower middle class Maharashtrian family in India. I had appeared for my SSC exams and was happily enjoying my summer vacations. I always performed just average or below average in studies right from the beginning. Despite being poor in studies, I never received a single scolding/demand from my parents about studying hard etc. Then comes the result day.

Result day

My father was very curious since morning. Knowing my capabilities (and performance in exams :P) I was bit surprised to see my father being so curious about the results. Back then, SSC exam results(toppers etc.) used to get published in news papers and hence all news paper publishing agencies would get the result early in morning even before its publicly disclosed by schools. My father went ahead and managed to get my results from one such agency (even before I get in in school).

I was just 72.80%. Just plain 72, no big deal. No promise of good future, no confirmation of proven ability, nothing. Here comes the twist, my father was ecstatic!! He was on cloud no. 9. Immediately after looking at results he called my mother and shared his joy. Unaware of all this, I received my results in school. As always, I was indifferent (like – who cares!) with the results the way I have been all these years with schools, studies and anything related. I came home few hours later after all the time pass and ‘who got how much’ discussions.

He was still on cloud no. 9 :) (and was there for few days to come) …, I got even more puzzled. This was the exact opposite of response I had been preparing for myself while cycling back home from school with results. For few hours I thought there will be some catch ;) . But he was genuinely happy. He called all his friends and relatives to share the joy. Then I received a very special gift from him– an elegant expensive Titan wrist watch !! (something you would expect if you get 90%+ marks, if you know what I mean ;) ) I wan dumbfounded !! I remain puzzled for few days to come.

After effects – The magic :)

I remained puzzled and lost in thoughts for few days. I remember myself thinking – what do I exactly do to deserve this? How come my friend who scored 80% doesn’t get an expensive wrist watch but I do. Something is wrong, this is not how ‘father-son’ relation is supposed to work. Had he given up on me but was pleasantly surprised with results? Millions of thoughts crossed my mind.. My mind was strongly conditioned by society into believing that you can expect rewards only if you do something good – conditioned rewards !!

My father changed that for me. He bought a gift for me without conditions. He loved me without conditions! he loved me irrespective of whether I was bright kid or not, irrespective of where I was ‘scholar’ or not. He was genuinely insanely condition-less happy for me :) This realization felt like a miracle to me :)

It changed me. A lot. I started studying/performing without anyone asking me to do it. I scored 93% in 12th std. exam (I know marks do not matter.. but still). I consistently kept performing excellent for coming years. I wore that watch at every special occasion for next 10 years in my life.

P.S.: I know its not a very fancy or eventful father story, but it meant a lot to me and it changed my world… So I thought of sharing it here :)